Prognostic factors in medically treated patients with chronic pulmonary embolism

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors in medically treated patients with chronic pulmonary embolism (CPE) who are not suitable candidates for definitive surgical therapy. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 53 consecutive patients with angiographically confirmed CPE were involved. Four patients underwent pulmonary endarterectomy, and 49 patients received continuous anticoagulation therapy and were followed up over an average period of 18.7 months (range, 6 to 72 months). RESULTS: Sixteen patients died during the follow-up period, mostly from progressive right ventricle failure. Among the nonsurvivors, 12.5% had distal CPE and 87.5% had proximal CPE (p = 0.03). The survivors had a higher (mean +/- SD) level of PaO(2) (59.3 +/- 11 mm Hg) than the nonsurvivors (50.8 +/- 9 mm Hg; p = 0.02), a lower mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP; 30.3 +/- 15 mm Hg vs 51 +/- 21 mm Hg; p = 0.0004), a lower hematocrit value (40.0 +/- 6 vs 44.2 +/- 6; p = 0.03), and better exercise tolerance (4.8 +/- 3 multiples of resting O(2) consumption [METs] vs 2.5 +/- 1 METs; p = 0.02) achieved during the maximal symptom-limited exercise. The patients with coexisting COPD had a higher mortality rate (62.5%) than those without COPD (37.5%; p = 0.04). Independent risk factors in the Cox analysis were as follows: mPAP (p = 0.04), exercise tolerance (p = 0.02), and COPD (p = 0.04). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the patient group with lower mortality achieved > 2 METs (p = 0.02) and had mPAP < 30 mm Hg (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The prognosis for the medically treated CPE patients, particularly those with pulmonary hypertension, was unfavorable. The prognostic factors for these patients were mPAP, coexistence of COPD, and severe exercise intolerance.     

Repeated coronarographies in 122 medically treated patients

122 patients treated medically 115 men and 7 women aged 51.9 +/- 8.51 years (range 32 to 79 years) underwent repeat coronary angiography 34 +/- 26 months (1 month-11 years) after the initial investigation Patients with normal coronary arteries were excluded. The repeat investigation was performed for aggravation and persistance of symptoms in 74 cases, myocardial infarction in 14 cases, with a view to aortocoronary bypass in 23 cases, for cardiac failure in 8 cases and for ventricular arrhythmias in 3 cases. Three groups of patients could be distinguished: Group I: the coronary angiography was unchanged (41 patients, 33.6 p. 100). The interval between the two investigations was 30.7 +/- 24.8 months. Group II: the coronary lesions had regressed in 12 patients (9.8 p. 100). The interval between the two investigations was 29.4 +/- 23 months. The degree of stenosis was reduced in 6 cases; recanalisation of an occluded artery was demonstrated in 3 cases; coronary spasm was diagnosed in 3 cases. Paradoxically, 4 patients had developed lesions on other coronary segments. Group III: the coronary lesions had progressed in 69 patients (56.6 p. 100). The interval between the two investigations was 36.8 +/- 26.9 months. The progression was observed on a pre-existing stenosis in 51 cases and on an initially normal segment in 34 cases. Left ventricular function had worsened in 21.7 p. 100 of patients compared to only 5.6 p. 100 of patients in groups I and II (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Survival prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in patients with spinal metastases

Purpose  

In patients with metastatic disease to the spine, patient selection for surgery and the extent of surgery to perform thereafter remains controversial, with the patient’s survival prognosis the most important consideration. For this reason, we conducted a prospective study investigating prognostic factors and clinical outcomes in a consecutive series of patients with vertebral metastases.     

A mini systematic review of prognostic factors in elderly patients with tuberculosis

BackgroundWhile advanced age has been suggested as a prognostic factor in patients with tuberculosis, the characteristics associated with a poor outcome in elderly patients have remained unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the risk factors for a poor outcome in elderly patients with tuberculosis.MethodsWe identified 1255 studies published between 1919 and 2017 from the PubMed database by using combinations of the keywords “tuberculosis [Title/Abstract]” and “elderly [Title/Abstract]”. Full texts of the studies that met the inclusion criteria were further evaluated by two independent investigators.Resultseven retrospective cohort studies were included in this systematic review. More advanced age, comorbidities, and nutritional status were likely to be prognostic factors in Taiwan (aging country) and Japan (super-aged country), while human immunodeficiency virus infection and severe tuberculosis were associated with a poor outcome in low-income countries. Two studies from Taiwan investigated the prognostic factors of tuberculosis-specific death and non-tuberculosis-specific death separately, but no significant differences were found in the factors between the two types of death.ConclusionsThe prognostic factors of tuberculosis in elderly patients varied according to the income levels of the countries. The factors in Taiwan and Japan were mainly associated with host factors, irrespective of the cause of death, which may reflect senile deterioration due to old age.     

Evaluation of prognostic factors in patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The severity of acute pancreatitis is variable and does not always correlate with structural and functional changes in the pancreas. More precise predictors of severity are necessary to enable intensive therapy to be targeted at patients with severe attacks, and to judge efficacy of treatment, to help in the early detection of complications, and to facilitate comparison of patients from different centers. METHODOLOGY: On admission, clinical criteria, biochemical and hematological parameters and multiple prognostic scores (Ranson, Imrie and APACHE-II scores) were collected from patients with acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients were seen during the study period. The overall mortality rate was 11.4%. A significantly higher mortality was found in patients with severe pancreatitis (25.8%) than in those with mild disease (1.5%, p=0.00001). Mortality was related to the presence of fever at admission (16.5% vs. 5.0%, p=0.006), and not to age, sex, etiological associations, or concomitant medical or surgical diseases. Of the biochemical and hematological parameters tested, ten factors (plasma glucose, BUN, serum creatinine, serum calcium, serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum albumin, red cell count, white cell count, hematocrit, and lymphocytes count) were found to be statistically significant, and four factors (serum potassium, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and hemoglobin) were marginally significant. In high-risk patients (Ranson and Imrie scores > or = 3, APACHE-II score > or = 10) mortality rates were higher (22.5%, 23.0%, and 22.5%, respectively) than in low-risk patients (2.4%, 2.3%, and 0.8%, respectively, p=0.00001). APACHE-II scores may be especially useful for monitoring the progress of patients with pancreatic necrosis and secondary pancreatic necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis still represents a condition of variable severity. The adoption of multiparametric criteria proposed together with morphological evaluation consents the formulation of a discreetly reliable prognosis on the evolution of the disease a few days from onset, even though this still appears insufficient to plan a varied and timely therapeutic program.     

脊柱结核术后未愈的影响因素分析

目的 探讨脊柱结核患者术后未愈的影响因素。方法 收集2012年1月至2016年12月成都市公共卫生临床医疗中心收治的312例脊柱结核患者作为研究对象,其中,经手术治疗未愈者24例,治愈者288例。收集研究对象性别、年龄、营养状况、发病至就诊间隔时间、手术入路、抗结核药物治疗方案、患者依从性、脊柱病变节段、是否并发其他部位结核、耐药情况、病灶清除情况、内固定稳定性、术前规范抗结核时间、全程随访情况、抗结核药物治疗效果评定等信息,分析导致患者术后未愈的影响因素。结果 未愈组不规范抗结核药物治疗者、脊柱病变>2个节段者、耐药结核病者、病灶清除不彻底者、全程未进行规律随访者、抗结核药物治疗效果评定为无效者、发病至就诊间隔时间>12个月者、行后路手术者分别占75.0%(18/24)、66.7%(16/24)、41.7%(10/24)、66.7%(16/24)、58.3%(14/24)、58.3%(14/24)、41.7%(10/24)、66.6%(16/24),均明显高于治愈组[分别占27.4%(79/288)、35.8%(103/288)、12.1%(35/288)、35.8%(103/288)、26.4%(76/288)、29.2%(84/288)、4.9%(14/288)、17.7%(51/288)],差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为10.11、7.19、15.64、8.97、11.01、8.75、12.14、12.29,P值均＜0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,不规范抗结核药物治疗[OR(95%CI)=3.15(1.03~9.64)]、脊柱病变>2个节段[OR(95%CI)=2.52(1.29~4.94)]、耐药结核病[OR(95%CI)=4.31(1.25~14.88)]、病灶清除不彻底[OR(95%CI)=4.90(1.39~17.27)]、全程未规律随访[OR(95%CI)=3.99(1.39~17.27)]、抗结核药物治疗效果评定为无效[OR(95%CI)=4.46(1.34~11.84)]、发病至就诊间隔时间>12个月[OR(95%CI)=12.30(2.20~68.80)]及行后路手术方式[OR(95%CI)=6.51(1.77~23.91)]是脊柱结核患者术后不愈的危险因素。 结论 脊柱结核诊治过程中要早期就诊,采用规范的抗结核药物方案治疗,避免适应性耐药,手术尽量选择前路手术方式,术中尽可能彻底清除病灶,术后注重全程随访,及时调整不合理抗结核药物方案。     

脊柱结核术后未愈的影响因素分析

目的探讨脊柱结核患者术后未愈的影响因素。方法收集2012年1月至2016年12月成都市公共卫生临床医疗中心收治的312例脊柱结核患者作为研究对象,其中,经手术治疗未愈者24例,治愈者288例。收集研究对象性别、年龄、营养状况、发病至就诊间隔时间、手术入路、抗结核药物治疗方案、患者依从性、脊柱病变节段、是否并发其他部位结核、耐药情况、病灶清除情况、内固定稳定性、术前规范抗结核时间、全程随访情况、抗结核药物治疗效果评定等信息,分析导致患者术后未愈的影响因素。结果未愈组不规范抗结核药物治疗者、脊柱病变>2个节段者、耐药结核病者、病灶清除不彻底者、全程未进行规律随访者、抗结核药物治疗效果评定为无效者、发病至就诊间隔时间>12个月者、行后路手术者分别占75.0%(18/24)、66.7%(16/24)、41.7%(10/24)、66.7%(16/24)、58. 3%(14/24)、58. 3%(14/24)、41. 7%(10/24)、66. 6%(16/24),均明显高于治愈组[分别占27.4%(79/288)、35. 8%(103/288)、12. 1%(35/288)、35.8%(103/288)、26.4%(76/288)、29.2%(84/288)、4.9%(14/288)、17. 7%(51/288)],差异均有统计学意义(X~2值分别为10. 11、 7. 19、15. 64、8. 97、11. 01、8. 75、12.14、12.29,P值均<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,不规范抗结核药物治疗[OR(95%CI)=3. 15(1. 03～9.64)]、脊柱病变>2个节段[OR(95%CI)=2.52(1.29～4.94)]、耐药结核病[OR(95%CI)=4.31(1.25～14. 88)]、病灶清除不彻底[OR(95%CI)=4. 90(1. 39～17. 27)]、全程未规律随访[OR(95%CI)=3. 99(1. 39～17. 27)]、抗结核药物治疗效果评定为无效[OR(95%CI)=4. 46(1. 34～11. 84)]、发病至就诊间隔时间>12个月[OR(95%CI)=12. 30(2. 20～68. 80)]及行后路手术方式[OR(95%CI)=6. 51(1. 77～23. 91)]是脊柱结核患者术后不愈的危险因素。结论脊柱结核诊治过程中要早期就诊,采用规范的抗结核药物方案治疗,避免适应性耐药,手术尽量选择前路手术方式,术中尽可能彻底清除病灶,术后注重全程随访,及时调整不合理抗结核药物方案。     

Evaluation of prognostic factors among patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease

Background

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a major complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation with an adverse effect on both mortality and morbidity. In 2005, the National Institute of Health proposed new criteria for diagnosis and classification of chronic graft-versus-host disease for clinical trials. New sub-categories were recognized such as late onset acute graft-versus-host disease and overlap syndrome.

Design and Methods

We evaluated the prognostic impact of the new sub-categories as well as the clinical scoring system proposed by the National Institute of Health in a retrospective, multicenter study of 820 patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation between 2000 and 2006 at 3 different institutions. Patients were retrospectively categorized according to the National Institute of Health criteria from patients’ medical histories.

Results

As far as the new sub-categories are concerned, in univariate analysis diagnosis of overlap syndrome adversely affected the outcome. Also, the number of organs involved for a cut-off value of 4 significantly influenced both cGVHD related mortality and survival. In multivariate analysis, in addition to NIH score, platelet count and performance score at the time of cGVHD diagnosis, plus gut involvement, significantly influenced outcome. These 3 variables allowed us to develop a simple score system which identifies 4 subgroups of patients with 84%, 64%, 43% and 0% overall survival at five years after cGVHD diagnosis (score 0: HR=15.96 (95% CI: 6.85–37.17), P<0.001; score 1: HR=5.47 (95% CI: 2.6–11.5), P<0.001; score 2: HR=2.8 (95% CI: 1.32–5.93), P=0.007).

Conclusions

In summary, we have identified a powerful and simple tool to discriminate different subgroups of patients in terms of chronic graft-versus-host disease related mortality and survival.     

脊柱结核患者术后排气时间影响因素分析

目的: 探讨脊柱结核患者术后恢复排气时间的影响因素。 方法: 采用前瞻性横断面研究的方法,连续纳入2021年2—12月在首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院骨科新入住且符合入组标准的75例脊柱结核患者作为研究对象。使用病例报告表收集患者基本情况、入院次日和术后次日的血常规和血生化、手术方式、手术时长、疼痛处理、术后口渴评分、术后疼痛评分、术中出血量、术中输血量等指标,以及是否参加营养管理。采用单因素和多元逐步回归模型探讨影响脊柱结核患者恢复排气时间的潜在因素。 结果: 75例脊柱结核患者术后恢复排气的时间范围为0.5~98.0h,中位时间为27.0(19.0,40.0)h,≤24h者仅29例(38.7%)。单因素分析显示,脊柱结核患者术后恢复排气时间与入院次日的血红蛋白水平[(124.1±17.2)g/L]呈负相关(r=-0.289,P=0.012),与术后2h时的口渴评分[5.0(4.0,6.0)分]呈正相关(r=0.258,P=0.025);与其他因素均无相关性,如与是否进行营养管理[26.0(16.0,38.0)h和30.8(21.3,45.3)h]和术后24h疼痛评分[4.0(3.0,6.0)分]均无相关性(Z=-1.915,P=0.056;r=0.171,P=0.143)。多元逐步回归分析显示,入院次日血红蛋白水平、术后24h疼痛评分和是否进行营养管理均是脊柱结核患者术后恢复排气时间的潜在影响因素,且术后恢复排气时间随着血红蛋白水平的升高、营养管理的完善而缩短,随术后24h疼痛评分的增加而延长(β=-0.349,P=0.002;β=3.143,P=0.003;β=-10.312,P=0.008)。 结论: 脊柱结核患者术后排气恢复时间较长,临床医护人员应关注入院时贫血、住院期间未进行全程营养管理,以及术后24h疼痛评分较高的患者。     

Results in hairy-cell leukemia patients treated with alpha-interferon: predictive prognostic factors.

Fourty-four evaluable patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) were treated with human lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN), at a dose of 3 x 10(6) Units a day for 12-18 months while 18 of them continued to receive a three times per week schedule at the same dose as maintenance treatment. Eighteen percent of patients achieved complete response, 64% partial response, and 18% minor response with a median duration of 37.5, 22.9 and 3.5 months respectively. Twenty patients (45%), all partial or minor responders, subsequently had progression of the disease. The progression occurred more frequently in patients who presented at diagnosis with a hairy-cell index value > 0.50 than in those who presented with a hairy-cell index < 0.50: 14/26 (54%) versus 2/11 (18%) respectively. In addition, the progression rate was more evident in "non-maintained" than in "maintained" patients: 16/26 (61.5%) versus 4/18 (22%). Restarting alpha-IFN treatment in 16 of the 20 progressed patients proved effective only in 9 of them. From these findings it appears that a low hairy-cell index at diagnosis correlates favorably with a good hematological response. Furthermore, continuous therapy with alpha-IFN seems very useful in reducing the progression of the disease, in particular in patients with a very high hairy-cell index at diagnosis.     

Outcomes of medically treated patients with aortic intramural hematoma

PURPOSE: Aortic intramural hematoma has been considered a precursor of aortic dissection, and the same treatment strategy, usually involving surgery, has been applied to both conditions. However, the outcomes of patients with aortic intramural hematoma who are treated medically, including the remodeling process that occurs after an acute event, are not known. SUBJECT AND METHODS: A total of 124 patients with acute aortic intramural hematoma (41 in the proximal aorta and 83 in the distal aorta) was enrolled from five institutions in South Korea. Patients received medical treatment without surgery. A follow-up imaging study was performed in 105 patients. RESULTS: Pericardial (59% [n = 24] vs. 11% [n = 9], P <0.004) and pleural effusions (63% [n = 26] vs. 45% [n = 37], P = 0.05) were more common in patients with the proximal type than in those with the distal type. In-hospital mortality was somewhat higher with proximal hematomas (7% [n = 3 deaths] vs. 1% [n = 1 death], P = 0.11). A follow-up imaging study in 36 patients with proximal hematomas confirmed resorption of the hematoma in 24 patients (67%) and development of aortic dissection in 9 (25%). Resorption was confirmed in 54 (78%) of the 69 patients with distal hematomas who underwent follow-up imaging; localized aortic dissection developed in 11 (16%) of these patients. The 3-year survival rate was 78% in the proximal type and 87% in the distal type (P = 0.10). CONCLUSION: Patients with aortic intramural hematoma had a high rate of resorption with medical treatment regardless of the affected site. Further investigation is necessary to determine the optimal treatment strategy and timing of surgical intervention, especially for patients with proximal hematomas.     

Survival and prognostic factors in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis treated with prednisolone

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Corticosteroids have been shown to significantly decrease short-term mortality in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. However, independent factors associated with a favorable outcome and long-term survival are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine prognostic factors and long-term survival in patients with biopsy-proven severe alcoholic hepatitis. METHODS: Of 183 patients studied, 61 had been randomized in a previous trial; 32 of them were treated with prednisolone (group I) and 29 were not treated (group II); 61 were treated from the end of this randomized trial (group III); and 61 were simulated (group IV). RESULTS: At 1 year, survival in group I (69%; confidence interval [CI], 57%-81%) and group III (71%; CI, 55%- 87%) was better than in the nontreated groups (group II, 41%; CI, 23%- 59%; P = 0.01) (group IV, 50%; CI, 37%-63%; P = 0.05). At 2 years, survival was not significantly different. Treated patients with marked liver polymorphonuclear infiltrate had better 1-year survival (76%; CI, 64%-88%) than the others (53%; CI, 35%-71%; P = 0.05). Treated patients with polymorphonuclear counts of > 5500/mm3 had better 1-year survival (77%; CI, 65%-89%) than the others (40%; CI, 14%-66%; P = 0.003). In the 93 treated patients, liver polymorphonuclear infiltrate (P < 0.03) and polymorphonuclear count (P < 0.001) were independently correlated with 1-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: Prednisolone reduced mortality by at least 1 year. Liver polymorphonuclear infiltrate and polymorphonuclear count were independent prognostic factors. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jun;110(6):1847-53)     

脊柱结核患者术中出现低体温的危险因素研究

目的 分析脊柱结核手术患者术中出现低体温的影响因素。方法 采用回顾性分析方法,选择2015年1月至2018年10月,北京胸科医院行脊柱结核手术的200例患者作为研究对象,包括前路病灶清除并植骨融合+内固定术52例,后路病灶清除并植骨融合+内固定术148例。根据患者术中否发生低体温将患者分为低体温组(91例)和非低体温组(109例)。收集患者临床资料、术中液体总入量(含输血量)、麻醉时间和方式、手术持续时间和术式等资料。采用多因素logistic回归分析患者术中出现低体温的危险因素。结果 200例患者中有91例术中发生低体温,发生率为45.5%,体温最低为33.7℃。低体温组行开胸手术者31例(34.07%),非低体温组行开胸手术者18例(16.51%),两组比较差异有统计学意义。logistic回归分析显示,脊柱结核患者行开胸手术者术中出现低体温的风险是未行开胸手术者的2.17倍(95%CI:1.09~4.33)。结论 开胸是脊柱结核手术患者术中低体温的危险因素。     

2011—2020年新疆喀什地区初治肺结核患者复发影响因素分析

目的 了解2011—2020年间新疆喀什地区登记治疗的初治肺结核患者复发的影响因素,为制定和完善干预措施,减少当地结核病的复发提供科学依据。方法 从《中国疾病预防控制信息系统》子系统《结核病管理信息系统》中,收集2011年1月至2020年12月喀什地区登记治疗的100699例初治肺结核患者病案信息,采用Cox比例风险回归模型对15730例复发肺结核患者的一般资料、临床信息、病原学结果及治疗转归信息等情况进行分析。结果 登记并成功治疗的100699例初治肺结核患者中,15730例肺结核患者复发,复发密度为4.13/100人年,3年累积复发患者占69.69%(10962/15730),5年累积复发患者占89.04%(14006/15730)。Cox比例风险回归模型显示,15~64岁组患者(aHR=2.37,95%CI:1.50~3.76)、≥65岁组患者(aHR=2.44,95%CI:1.54~3.87)、苗族患者(aHR=3.46,95%CI:2.20~5.44)、维吾尔族患者(aHR=2.39,95%CI:2.01~2.84)、农民(aHR=1.98,95%CI:1.70~2.31)、待业(aHR=1.51,95%CI:1.28~1.77)、5个月末痰涂片阳性(aHR=1.59,95%CI:1.18~2.14)是结核病复发的独立危险因素。 结论 喀什地区初治肺结核患者复发风险较高,应重点关注65岁以上老年患者、农民、待业、抗结核治疗5个月末痰涂片阳性患者的规范化治疗与随访管理,应早期对这些高危人群开展针对性的干预措施。     

Evaluation of preoperative prognostic factors in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Objective: Upfront surgery is the standard treatment for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (R-PDACs); however, these tumors often recur. We investigated the factors governing recurrence and prognosis in patients with R-PDAC.

Methods: We analyzed 359 patients who underwent upfront surgery for R-PDAC between 2000 and 2016, and evaluated the relationship between clinicopathological factors and recurrence/outcomes.

Results: The rate of recurrence was 74% while the median time to recurrence was 1.2 years. On multivariate analysis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) >37?U/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.02), tumor size >2.6?cm (HR: 1.50), pathological grade 3 (HR: 2.58), lymph node metastasis (LNM; HR: 1.65), residual tumor (HR: 1.47) and forgoing adjuvant chemotherapy (HR: 1.31) were risk factors for a shorter recurrence-free survival; the median survival time (MST) was 2.8 years. On multivariate analysis, CA19-9?>?37?U/mL (HR: 1.99), tumor size >2.6?cm (HR: 1.43), pathological grade 3 (HR: 2.93), pathological portal vein invasion (HR: 1.48), LNM (HR: 1.79) and forgoing adjuvant chemotherapy (HR: 1.39) were risk factors for shorter disease-specific survival intervals. When examining outcomes according to preoperatively measurable factors (CA19-9?>?37?U/mL and tumor size >2.6?cm), the median time to recurrence and MSTs of patients with none (n?=?83), one (n?=?112) and both (n?=?164) risk factors were 3.2, 1.8 and 0.8 years; and 7.2, 4.0 and 1.7 years, respectively.

Conclusions: CA19-9?>?37?U/mL and tumor size >2.6?cm were preoperative independent risk factors for early recurrence and poor outcomes in patients with R-PDAC. Therefore, preoperative treatment should be considered for such patients.     

Natural history of pure coronary artery spasm in patients treated medically

The clinical course of 59 patients with coronary artery spasm and no fixed severe coronary obstruction was analyzed for an average of 5.9 years. The study group consisted of 27 men and 32 women. Angina at rest was the predominant symptom in 93% of the patients. Myocardial infarction occurred in 19% and syncope during angina in 27%. During spontaneous anginal episodes, 64% of the patients showed ST segment elevation, 17% ST segment depression and 15% no electrocardiographic changes. Major arrhythmias during angina occurred in 24% of the patients. Permanent pacemakers were required in 10% of the patients. Stress tests were positive in 32% of the patients. Long-acting nitrate therapy controlled symptoms in only 31%, and calcium antagonist agents controlled symptoms in 83% of the patients unresponsive to nitrates. Spontaneous remission of angina for at least 1 month while receiving no medical treatment occurred in 39% of the patients. Fifteen percent of patients had an indefinite remission with no recurrence of symptoms for at least 2 years. There were no cardiac deaths. The natural history of medically treated patients with pure coronary spasm is characterized by recurrent angina at rest, frequent spontaneous remission, a poor response to long-acting nitrate therapy and a good response to calcium antagonists. Although myocardial infarction and major arrhythmias are common, cardiac mortality is low in medically treated patients.     

结核病危重患者的死亡预后因素初步分析

目的 探讨结核病危重患者死亡预后的影响因素.方法 对2008年6月至2010年2月浙江省中西医结合医院结核科ICU的62例成年结核病危重患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,其中男48例,女14例,年龄20～91岁,平均(63±4)岁.以入住结核科ICU时间为研究起点,以转出结核科ICU或死亡时间为研究终点,将患者分为存活组(33例)和死亡组(29例),对年龄、性别、呼吸衰竭类型、有无机械通气、合并其他感染、耐多药结核病、抗结核治疗、急性病生理学和长期健康评价Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分及肝损害等变量进行单因素分析.采用Cox回归分析患者死亡预后的独立危险因素,采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析法计算患者的累积生存率.结果 与结核病危重患者死亡预后有关的因素为:真菌感染,风险比(HR值)为3.44,95%CI为1.23～9.62;Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭,HR值为4.03,95%CI为1.56～10.38;肝损害,HR值为3.96,95%CI为1.30～12.10;APACHEⅡ评分＞25分,HR为4.91,95%CI为1.99～12.11.上述4项因素均可使结核病危重患者住院死亡的风险显著增高(x2值为5.53～11.88,均P＜0.05),住院累积生存率显著降低(x2值为4.43～22.68,均P＜0.05).结论 结核病危重患者的病死率高,合并真菌感染、Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭、肝损害和APACHEⅡ评分＞25分是患者死亡预后的危险因素.

Abstract：

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors associated with mortality in critically ill tuberculosis patients, and therefore to provide information for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Methods The clinical daza of 62 patients with tuberculosis, who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Zhejiang Province between June 2008 and Feb 2010, were analyzed retrospectively, with the admission date as a start point and the transferring out of ICU date or death date in the ICU as an end point. Forty-eight patients were males and 14 were females, and the patient' s age ranging from 20 to years (63 ± 4) years. In addition,these patients were divided into the survival (33 cases) and the death groups (29 cases). A total of 19 factors including age, sex, respiratory failure types, mechanical ventilation, infection, anti-tuberculous drug resistance, chemotherapy, clinical complications, critical illness score, liver damage, were analyzed for a single risk factor by the univariate model, and calculated for the independent death risk factors using the Cox logistic regression multivariate model. The cumulative survival rate based on the Kaplan-Meier survival model was calculated. Results The mortality was associated with 4 independent factors: fungal infection ( HR =3.44, 95% CI = 1.23 - 9. 62), type Ⅱ respiratory failure ( HR = 4. 03, 95% CI = 1.56 - 10. 38), liver damage (HR=3.96, 95% CI=1.30 -12. 10) and elevated APACHEⅡ score (＞25) (HR =4.91,95%CI = 1.99 - 12. 11 ). These factors significantly ( x2 =5. 53 - 11.88, all P ＜0. 05) increased the in-hospital mortality and decreased the hospital cumulative survival rate( x2 = 4. 43 -22. 68, all P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion The high mortality of tuberculosis patients admitted to ICU was associated with fungal infection, type Ⅱ respiratory failure, liver damage, and elevated APACHE Ⅱ score ( ＞ 25).     

Infective endocarditis--analysis of 116 surgically and 26 medically treated patients

We have reviewed 116 cases of bacterial endocarditis treated surgically and 26 cases treated medically since 1973. There were 123 patients with native valve endocarditis and 19 patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Overall, the left-sided valves were infected most frequently. There were 10 cases with right-sided valves involved. Multiple valves were infected in 6 patients. There were 6 perioperative deaths in the surgical group. The most common cause of death was multi-organ failure associated with uncontrollable sepsis. The overall operative mortality for active endocarditis was 7.7% (4/55), and for healed endocarditis, 3.3% (2/61). For active native valve endocarditis, the mortality was 4.2% (2/48), for healed native valve endocarditis, 3.6% (2/55), for active prosthetic valve endocarditis, 28.6% (2/7), and for healed prosthetic valve endocarditis, 0%. There was no difference in the operative mortality between active native valve endocarditis and healed native valve endocarditis. The mortality of active prosthetic valve endocarditis was significantly higher than that of active native valve endocarditis (p less than 0.01). Of the 26 patients treated medically, 7 died during the initial hospitalization. The major factor related to mortality in the medically treated patients was persistent sepsis (four patients), and congestive heart failure (three patients). The overall mortality of the medical group for active valve endocarditis was 15% (3/20), and for active prosthetic valve endocarditis, 67% (4/6). We conclude that patients with infective endocarditis with significant valve lesions who are unresponsive to medical therapy should be considered for urgent surgery.     

Nonfatal myocardial infarction in medically treated patients with coronary artery disease

The purpose of this study was to identify patient characteristics associated with nonfatal myocardial infarction as the first event after cardiac catheterization in medically treated patients with coronary artery disease. Multiple logistic risk analyste of 81 baseline characteristics in 354 patients who died or had nonfatal infarction identified 10 characteristics (5 clinical and 5 cardiac catheterization variables) as independently discriminating between the two events. Left ventricular function, specific coronary anatomy, previous myocardial infarction and age were the most important discriminators. Poor left ventricular function and left main coronary stenosis were associated with death. Subtotal left anterior descending and right coronary arterial stenosis, normal hemodynamics, absence of previous infarction and young age were associated with nonfatal infarction. Thus, in any subset of patients who have a uniform risk of ischemic events (nonfatal infarction or death), nonfatal infarction is most likely to occur in those who are young, have had no previous infarction, have subtotal left anterior descending and right coronary arterial stenosis and normal hemodynamics.